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Find out more about how the spirit of co-operation has developed and is demonstrated in Antarctica today.

<img width="1800" height="570" src="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty_flags.jpg" class="no-lazy" alt="" data-sizes="auto" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty_flags.jpg 1800w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty_flags-415x131.jpg 415w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty_flags-1640x519.jpg 1640w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty_flags-768x243.jpg 768w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty_flags-1536x486.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px" /> Antarctic Treaty Antarctica is designated as a continent of peace and cooperation, but it hasn’t always been. Find out more about how the spirit of co-operation has developed and is demonstrated in Antarctica today. Geopolitics and governance Since 1908 seven nations have made formal claims to parts of Antarctica. During the 1940s and 1950s these competing claims led to diplomatic disputes and even armed clashes. In 1948, Argentinean military forces fired on British troops in an area claimed by both countries. The ‘scramble’ for Antarctica intensified in the 1950s. By the end of 1955 a number of countries had created over 20 bases in the Antarctic Peninsula including Argentina, Chile, Britain and the United States of America. The Antarctic Treaty is set within the context of the Cold War, a time when the USA and the Soviet Union were involved in a standoff involving nuclear weapons. The USSR was also beginning to show interest in Antarctica and there were fears that Antarctica could become a pawn in the Cold War. Diplomats designed a treaty setting Antarctica aside as a military free zone and precluded future territorial claims. The treaty was signed by 12 nations (the original 7 with claims on Antarctica plus South Africa, Belgium, Japan, and the Soviet Union). The treaty came into affect in June 1961 and now forms the basis of all policies and management in Antarctica. Antarctic territorial claims <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-3122 size-full" src="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1.png" alt="Territorial Claims" width="3417" height="3000" srcset="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1.png 3417w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1-415x364.png 415w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1-1640x1440.png 1640w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1-768x674.png 768w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1-1536x1349.png 1536w, https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/governed_claims1-2048x1798.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 3417px) 100vw, 3417px" /> <img width="207" height="230" src="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/themes/discovering-antarctica/icons/illuminate_sb_white_nc.svg" class="icon" alt="icon"> Warm up The purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure, as the preamble notes that: “in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord.” Antarctica is designated as a continent of peace and cooperation. Find out more about how the spirit of co-operation is demonstrated in Antarctica by looking at the pdf: Teachers’ Notes: ATS cooperation in Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty system ensures that Antarctica is protected as a place for peace and science. However, some groups may want to apply for permission to use the land, sea, animals or plants of Antarctica for reasons that may conflict with the aims for the Treaty. <img width="600" height="398" src="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/antarctic_treaty.jpg" alt=""> The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting held in Edinburgh June 2006 <img width="120" height="180" src="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/wp-content/themes/discovering-antarctica/icons/activity_sb_white_nc.svg" class="icon" alt="icon"> Activity The Treaty has 14 Articles governing peace, co-operation, science and the putting aside of sovereignty claims. Read a summary on the Cool Antarctica website: Cool Antarctica: Antarctic Treaty Summary Pick four of the articles summarised in the link and discuss why they are different to governance in other parts of the world. Cool facts The provisions of the present Treaty apply to areas south of 60° South Latitude, including all ice shelves. Decisions about the marine areas come primarily under the purview of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR, entry into force 1982). CCAMLR is part of the ...

Antarctic Treaty - Discovering Antarctica